PA School Prerequisites in Connecticut
A physician-written breakdown of science prerequisites, GPA benchmarks, and post-bacc options for every CT PA program — so you can plan your coursework strategically.
For a national overview of prerequisite courses, GPA expectations, patient-care hours, CASPA requirements, and testing policies, review our complete guide to PA school requirements.
Common Prerequisites Across CT PA Programs
| Course | Notes |
|---|---|
| Biology I & II (with lab) | Required by all CT PA programs. Must include lab component. |
| General Chemistry I & II (with lab) | Required by all CT PA programs. |
| Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | Required by Yale PA and Quinnipiac. Some programs accept Biochemistry in lieu of Orgo II. |
| Biochemistry | Required by Yale PA. Increasingly required or preferred by other CT programs. |
| Human Anatomy (with lab) | Required by all CT PA programs. Cadaver lab preferred by Yale PA. |
| Human Physiology | Required by all CT PA programs. Combined A&P accepted by some programs. |
| Microbiology (with lab) | Required by all CT PA programs. |
| Statistics | Required by all CT PA programs. Biostatistics preferred. |
| Psychology | Required or strongly preferred by most CT PA programs. |
| Medical Terminology | Recommended but not always required. Easy to complete online. |
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Prerequisites by Program
Yale School of Medicine PA Program
GPA Requirement
3.0 minimum; competitive applicants typically 3.5+
GRE
GRE NOT required (dropped)
PCE Hours
3,000+ hours strongly preferred
- Biochemistry required (not just Orgo)
- Cadaver anatomy lab strongly preferred
- Research experience valued — not required but differentiating
- No GRE requirement as of recent admissions cycles
- Shadowing a PA (not just a physician) is expected
Quinnipiac University PA Program
GPA Requirement
3.0 minimum; competitive applicants typically 3.4+
GRE
GRE not required
PCE Hours
1,000+ hours required
- Standard science prerequisites (Biology, Chemistry, A&P, Micro, Stats)
- Direct patient care hours must be documented in CASPA
- Shadowing a PA required
- Letters of recommendation from a PA or physician required
Sacred Heart University PA Program
GPA Requirement
3.0 minimum; competitive applicants typically 3.3+
GRE
GRE not required
PCE Hours
1,000+ hours required
- Standard science prerequisites
- Direct patient care hours required
- PA shadowing required
- Community service experience valued
University of Bridgeport PA Program
GPA Requirement
2.75 minimum; competitive applicants typically 3.2+
GRE
Check program website for current requirements
PCE Hours
500+ hours minimum
- Standard science prerequisites
- More accessible GPA and hour requirements than other CT programs
- Direct patient care hours required
Post-Bacc Options in Connecticut
University of Connecticut (UConn)
UConn offers post-bacc science courses through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Strong option for CT residents who need to complete or retake prerequisites.
- →Individual science courses available to non-degree students
- →UConn Extension offers some online science options
Yale School of Continuing Education
Yale Extension offers select science courses that can fulfill prerequisites. Courses taken at Yale carry significant weight on a PA school application.
- →Science courses available to non-degree students
- →Online and in-person options
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac offers post-bacc science courses and has a formal post-bacc pre-health program. Strong option given the direct pipeline to Quinnipiac PA.
- →Post-bacc pre-health program
- →Individual science courses available
Connecticut Community Colleges
Gateway, Naugatuck Valley, Manchester, and other CT community colleges offer affordable science prerequisites. Accepted by most PA programs.
- →Anatomy & Physiology
- →Microbiology
- →Statistics
- →General Chemistry
How to Handle Prerequisite Gaps
- 1
If you have a low science GPA (below 3.0), a formal post-bacc program at UConn or Quinnipiac is the most credible way to demonstrate academic improvement.
- 2
Retaking courses where you earned a C or below is generally advisable — CASPA calculates all grades, but an upward trend matters.
- 3
Online prerequisites are accepted by most CT PA programs, but confirm with each program before enrolling.
- 4
If you are missing Biochemistry for Yale PA, take it at UConn or Yale Extension — not at a community college if you can avoid it.
- 5
A post-bacc GPA of 3.5+ over 20+ credits can significantly offset a lower undergraduate GPA.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Need help choosing PA programs and building a competitive application? MedTrack Mentors provides physician-led PA admissions advising, school-list strategy, essay guidance and interview preparation. Prerequisite courses and patient care hour requirements vary by program — always verify directly with each program before applying.
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